USAF Muffed Scenes Film
USAF Muffed Scenes Film
This film is a series of excerpts from a Hollywood feature length drama about United States Air Force pilots during World War Two. The catch is that the excerpts here are bloopers, flubs etc. by the all too serious cast. Basically, this is very, very funny material that doesn't show its age. All footage is in black and white. MS of two Air Force officers standing at a map, discussing the plans they must follow. Pan left as they further discuss the plans, then pan right as they move to a door that is stuck but they keep talking for a few seconds while trying to unjam the door. Cut. MS of two women in a tropical setting, mashing something in a barrel with staves of some sort. A scruffy male officer walks onscreen, heads slowly towards them and stops to watch them. Dark, gritty MS of two soldiers crouched in a foxhole, smoking cigarettes while lights flash around them (simulating bombs and such exploding around them). Heavy shadows, chiaroscuro. They talk solemnly to one another. A young one, on screen left, says to his buddy, an older guy on screen right, "You know what I wish? I wish I could remember my next line..." Cut. Back to the scruffy officer watching the women mash away. MS of three young pilots in an office type set. A slate claps in front of them, director yells, "Action!" One of the actors starts talking to the others in a pseudo-noir delivery while giving them each a cigarette. He lights one then tries to light another guy's but burns the guy's nose instead. Cut. MS of a young pilot and his gal sitting in a convertible talking. He pulls out a cigarette which she tries to light. She gives a speech that makes her character seem so likable but since the lighter won't kick she breaks and yells off screen, "I can't get this damn lighter to work!". Cut. Back to the mashers mashing away while the scruffy officer just smiles silently, occasionally shaking his head. MS of an officer walking briskly onto an office-type set. He pulls a file from a file cabinet then moves to a door on screen left only the doorknob falls off. He says something quickly, then tosses the knob off screen. A loud crash ensues. Back to the mashers... Two shot of a colonel and a soldier, the former seated at a desk while the latter stand before him. The colonel picks up the receiver the wrong way but doesn't notice until a production assistant's hand reaches onscreen to help him then waves to cut. The mashers again. The officer strokes his stubble, shakes his head. MS of Ronald Reagan, dressed as an officer, speaks to a classroom of pilots, a pointer in his hand and roll-down maps behind him. The maps suddenly roll up, giving the future president a good shock. MS of a dorky actor subbing for a real clapper boy, a convertible and a rear projection screen behind him. He tries to slate the take but gets his hand caught instead so he drops the slate and sucks on his finger. MS of a pilot flying in the cockpit of a fighter, rear projection screen of clouds and sky behind him when suddenly, in the middle of the dramatic take, two human figures, their outlines shadows, stroll nonchalantly by the screen. Cut! The director or cinematographer yells, "Who the hell is walking across that sky!"